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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the nuns decide the best approach is to helping Amara?

2. How is the reader supposed to view the setting?

3. What does Palinor need?

4. What does Margarlido tell her husband?

5. How does Amara scare away the group?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Palinor tell Beneditx about his view of the truth?

2. What do Severo and Beneditx debate about and what are each of their views?

3. For what is Beneditx noted?

4. Why is Beneditx angry and what does he remember about his mother's anger?

5. Where does Palinor travel to find help and what does the prefect observe about him?

6. What happens when Dolca comes into Palinor's room on an errand?

7. How does Sor Blancha realize Amara misses Josefa and what happens when she does?

8. What does Palinor tell Beneditx about the need to explain everything?

9. What does Severo suggest to Beneditx?

10. Who is waiting for Severo when he returns home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Palinor commits what we would be considered horrible sexual sin in the eyes of Grandinsula's religious people. He has sex with a boy and a girl, and then watches them have sex with each other. Dolca and Joffre don't protest, however, and they seem to enjoy the learning experience. In this case, "sin" is presented as something that can be enjoyable and uplifting rather than something destructive and hurtful.

1. Do you think the definition of a "sin" which is to say something morally wrong differs from culture to culture? Why or why not?

2. It has been debated through the ages whether everyone sees immorality as representing the same behaviors. Why do you think Palinor's definition of morality is different from Beneditx's?

3. In a culture where an institution such as the church or the government defines what are right and wrong acts who benefits from the power that control people's lives with the threat of "sin" or the definition of morality? What would be the advantage to an institution to convince people that institution was the only authority that could define right and wrong?

Essay Topic 2

Fra Murta, who is supposed to represent the height of religious power, is compared to a blight in this chapter. The Inquisitor's relish for flushing out heretics is difficult for Severo to stomach, as is the church's convenient way of avoiding murder by having civil authorities execute heretics. Even Amara takes an immediate dislike to Fra Murta. As the characters in this novel struggle to reconcile Palinor's lack of religion with his good character, Fra Murta presents a stark contrast. He is full of religious zeal, yet he has no qualms ordering torture and cruel execution for supposed heretics.

1. Hypocrisy seems to be evident in Fra Murta's character. Explain, using examples, why one would say Fra Murta is a hypocrite.

2. Why do you think the characters, such as Severo and Beneditx struggle to reoncile Palinor's character with their beliefs?

3. Why do you think Amara took an instant dislike to Fra Murta?

Essay Topic 3

While Taddeo and Margalida break no laws, their heartless treatment of Josefa brings up questions of what is the true nature of Christian love, especially between a parent and a child.

1. Explain why you agree or disagree with the statement above.

2. Do you think just because someone claims to be religious it automatically makes them a good person? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Taddeo and Margalida's treatment of Josefa is abusive? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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